Contessa Decorative Cushions by St. Geneve

The first step in caring for your down pillows is to make sure you are using both a pillowcase and a pillow protector. Launder your case and protector frequently – we suggest weekly. Doing this makes your pillow a low maintenance piece of bedding that will last for years; it will only need to be washed if it appears to be soiled. Fluff your pillow daily. When your pillow loses firmness it may be time to wash it. To see if it's time to wash your pillow fold it in half, if it stays folded or opens slowly it's time to clean it. As your pillow ages it will get softer. If you find your pillow is no longer comfortable even after washing it's likely time to replace it. St Genève down pillows are machine washable and come with the Superwash Certification. If you are washing a pillow from another brand, be sure to check the care instructions before laundering. Before washing your pillows, be sure to check them for any tears that may allow the down to spill out. If you find a rip, repair the pillow or place it in a pillow protector for washing. Use a mild detergent. We recommend Tide Free and Gentle, which is hypoallergenic and without dyes or perfumes. Wash your pillows in a front-loading washing machine. If you do not have one, head to a laundromat or a friend’s house. In a top-loading machine, pillows will float to the top and will not be washed thoroughly. Second, the agitator may damage the pillows. Wash two pillows at a time for better balance in your machine. Use a delicate cycle with warm water or hot water. Warm water will wash away allergens, but will not kill dust mites. If this is a concern for you, you can use hot water to wash your pillows – just not too often! Run an extra full wash and rinse with no detergent; this will help to make sure that any residues from your detergent are rinsed out and to expel any excess water. Residues from detergents can cause deterioration to the fabric and can ‘gunk up’ the fibers in your down. Squish out excess water using a towel; do not wring or twist your pillows. Dry them on the delicate cycle, start with medium heat then move to low as the pillow dries. Because of how thick pillows are, you may need two or three cycles. Add dryer balls or clean tennis balls to help fluff the pillow as it dries. In between cycles, pull out the pillow and feel it. If you find that any large clumps are forming, you can shake it or use your fingers to break up the clumps. Be sure to dry completely before use. If you feel any damp spots (they may register as cool spots in the pillow), your pillow is not dry. Using a damp pillow could lead to mildew and shorten the life of your pillow.